Bear Claw

by Crissy Smith

  “Hey, Brandy. I’m so glad you could make it.”

  Surprised, she glanced up. She knew it was Aubrey since she recognized her from the meeting at the library but she’d also seen her somewhere else.

  Brandy didn’t have time to think too hard on it. Aubrey threaded her arm through hers.

  “Jamie texted,” Aubrey said brightly. “He and Cody are leaving the office right now. Let’s get you a drink before they get here.”

  “Great, thanks.” Brandy opted for a beer. It was easiest and she actually preferred the beverage to heavy alcohol or wine.

  “Thanks for inviting me,” Brandy said to Aubrey.

  “Of course. After hearing about you for so long, it is so good to see you and Jamie working things out. I didn’t think that boy was ever going to man up.” She slapped a hand over her mouth. “Shit, I probably wasn’t supposed to say that. Please don’t tell Jamie.”

  Brandy laughed. “Don’t worry. We’ve talked about how much time we wasted and how one of us should have made a move.”

  “Oh, good. I want him to be happy.”

  “Me too,” Brandy replied sincerely. “So you work as a private investigator?”

  “Yeah, I used to work security at my Cast, but after Cody and I got together, I decided to leave and join his Flock. I left the Cast, so I needed another job and my partner was ready for a change.”

  “Uh, you lost me on the Cast part.”

  “Oh, sorry. Well, the simplest explanation is that Cody and I are both falcon shifters. A group of all falcons is called a Cast. But not all bird shifters stay within their own species. So in a Flock, as we belong to, there are falcons, hawks and all kinds. Flocks also tend to be larger.”

  That made sense. “Cool. So does Jamie belong to a group like that?” She wasn’t certain if she should ask Aubrey instead of him but she figured there would be only one way to learn anything. Hopefully she wouldn’t offend anyone.

  “Actually, there are some bear shifter groups. But Jamie has been on his own since he was eighteen.”

  “Oh.” Come to think of it, Jamie had never spoken about his family. Not even after Brandy had informed him of her current issues. Thinking about all the conversations in the past year, she couldn’t remember him ever mentioning anyone but his friends.

  “Bear shifters are different than falcons. I don’t understand it all myself. But I think that’s one of the reasons that Jamie is so loyal to the people he cares about. His loved ones are his family.”

  “That was one of the first things I noticed about him. His love for his friends.”

  “Yeah, he’s a good guy.”

  “Incoming!” someone yelled from the front of the bar.

  “Come on,” Aubrey urged.

  Brandy followed her to the entrance. Cody walked in and everyone yelled “Surprise!” A look of pure shock crossed Cody’s face. It was the first time Brandy had actually seen someone that astonished at a party.

  Aubrey laughed until tears leaked from her eyes. “I got him!”

  “Son of a bitch!” Cody muttered.

  Brandy could easily read his lips and smiled to herself.

  Aubrey launched herself at her man, and Brandy found herself laughing at them.

  “You made it.”

  She turned and grinned up at Jamie. “Of course.”

  Almost shyly, he wrapped his arm around her waist.

  Brandy wasn’t going to have that. Gripping his shoulders, she lifted up on her tiptoes. “No hello kiss?”

  “I’d hoped so, but didn’t know if you would be comfortable.”

  She leaned closer. “You can always assume I want a kiss from you.”

  Jamie pulled her close and lowered his mouth to hers.

  After they’d parted, Jamie stroked her hair. “That’s better.”

  “Yes, it was,” she readily agreed.

  “Come on. Let’s go give the birthday boy a hard time.”

  He kept his arm over her shoulder. They walked over to the table where Cody had Aubrey in his lap. She could hear Cody bitching as they approached.

  “I told you no birthday party.”

  “Oh, get over it. You’re another year older, boo hoo.”

  “I get no support from my girlfriend,” Cody told them.

  “I don’t know. I think I agree with Aubrey.”

  “You’re a traitor,” Cody accused. “Brandy”—he pointed at her—“be on my side.”

  She laughed. “Well…Aubrey bought me a beer and Jamie gave me a good hello kiss. What have you got for me to switch sides?”

  “You’re not kissing her,” Jamie and Aubrey said at the same time.

  “Ugh.” Cody threw his hands up in the air but he couldn’t keep from smiling. “I give up.”

  “Enjoy your party,” Jamie told him.

  Cody patted Aubrey’s leg so she would stand. He hugged Jamie, pounding on his back. “Love you, bro.”

  “Yeah, I love you too.”

  More of the guests came to talk to Cody, and Jamie motioned toward the bar. Nodding, Brandy led the way.

  He took her empty bottle and waved it at the bartender. “Two more.”

  As they waited, Brandy enjoyed looking him over. He appeared more tired than usual. Sure, with his visits to the library, she only saw him on his days off but since he had mentioned he was working a hard case, she worried a little.

  “How are you doing?” she asked him.

  Jamie nodded then turned and grabbed the two beers the bartender set on the counter. He passed the man a ten, waving off the change. “There’s a table.” He pointed to it.

  She cut through the growing crowd to claim the open table. She moved the chairs so Jamie would have his back to the wall and hers to the bar.

  “Thanks,” he said, then kissed her quickly before handing over her beer.

  “No problem. Are you sure you’re okay? You look tired.”

  “I am.”

  Scooting her chair closer, she laid her hand over his. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Finish your beer and come home with me?”

  “I can do that.”

  * * * *

  Jamie unlocked his front door and ushered Brandy inside. They had cut out of the birthday celebration a little early but he knew his friends didn’t mind.

  Having a houseguest the last night, Jamie hadn’t slept well. He was worn down.

  It was as though Brandy could read him perfectly. She took his hand and pulled him to the bedroom.

  “Take off your shirt and lay on your stomach.”

  Last time he’d been ordered in that position, it had turned out to be one of the hottest bouts of sex ever. He eagerly hurried to comply.

  Stretching out, Jamie closed his eyes.

  Brandy moved around the room. The bed dipped. She straddled his thighs.

  He couldn’t hold back the long moan as she ran her hands over the tense muscles of his back. Not exactly what he’d expected, but damn if her hands on him didn’t cause him to shudder in need.

  Brandy didn’t say anything as she massaged him. He found himself drifting off to a light doze, with his cock hard under him, and his body more relaxed than he’d ever experienced. He couldn’t decide if he wanted to thrust against the mattress for more pressure or fall asleep.

  The first feel of her tongue over the back of his neck quickly made the decision for him. He enjoyed a few more minutes then rolled over.

  “Hey, where are you going?”

  “It’s time to work on my front.”

  She lifted up enough to allow him to finish settling on his back. She reached for the erection trapped in his jeans.

  Rubbing, she licked her lips. “Hmm.”

  Jamie grinned as she unsnapped his jeans. Working together, they got the denim to his knees then she bent over, using her mouth on his cock.

  He threaded his hand in her hair, trying to hold back from bucking into her mouth.

  It was torture and amazing at the same time. She used her tongue
to tease the vein under his cockhead. That was all he could take.

  “Come up here,” he demanded, gently pulling on her hair.

  Brandy stroked him several more times. Finally, she relented and climbed up his body.

  Jamie gripped her hips. “Ride me.”

  “Oh, yeah,” she practically purred.

  Grasping his cock, she sat back and started to caress his hard-on with the wet folds of her pussy. Jamie lifted his pelvis.

  She shook her head. “Patience.”

  “Come on,” he pleaded.

  “Okay,” she responded with a wink.

  Lowering her body, she slowly impaled herself on his cock. Jamie cupped her breasts while she rode him.

  The pace was leisurely, without the desperation the last few times they’d made love. Her gaze remained locked to his.

  She looked beautiful with her hair falling over her shoulders to frame her face. Jamie rose enough to kiss her deeply.

  Sighing into his mouth, she returned the kiss. Brandy continued rising and falling in a smooth rhythm. Jamie held her close as she brought them to the edge of completion then over it.

  Chapter Sixteen

  “Don’t you have a date tonight, boss?” Ray asked, standing from his desk.

  Jamie turned from the board he’d been studying. “I want to finish up.” He picked up the last picture and attached it alongside the others.

  They’d spent the last week searching through all the missing person reports that had come through the Coalition and the ones called into the Lake Worth Police.

  In only a year’s time, there were over twenty shifters who had disappeared. His entire team had been working long hours trying to figure out who had been found or returned on their own, and which cases were still open.

  Ray had spent several nights taking pictures of all the men and women who entered the structure on Market. So far, they had matched six of their open investigations with Ray’s photos.

  It was enough to keep them on the case but it also made Jamie question the goodness of people. Out of the four men and two women between the ages of seventeen and twenty-two, only one’s parents had filed a report.

  The others had come from friends or co-workers. Jamie didn’t understand how so many parents didn’t care that their kid had taken off.

  He’d thought the bear shifters were the species that cast their young out, but sadly, he was finding that wasn’t true. Instead, he was coming to understand that being a shifter had nothing to do with it.

  The young men and women could have been human and they would have still been alone in the world.

  “We’ll get them out,” Ray said, coming up beside him.

  “Hopefully.”

  “Hey, man, get out of here. Go put on a suit and show off your girl. You’ll feel better.”

  Ray did have a point. He hadn’t been able to spend a lot of time with Brandy but tonight was the fundraiser for the opposition of the shifter registration proposal. Earlier, Brandy had teased him over the phone about her dress.

  “All right,” he said, taking a step back.

  “I’ll tell you what. I’ll finish up here and drive by the building. It won’t take long, then I’ll go home and change for the fundraiser.”

  Touched, Jamie gripped his shoulder. “Thanks.”

  “No problem. You better hurry or you’ll be late picking Brandy up.”

  He was still chuckling as he got to his truck in the parking garage. Not only would Ray be attending the party but he’d gotten tickets from Cody and Aubrey too.

  Brandy had informed him that Aubrey had called her at the beginning of the week and they’d had coffee a few times. He loved the fact that Brandy was already so friendly with her.

  There was never any doubt that they’d get along, but he could admit to being a little worried.

  Climbing into the vehicle, he sent Brandy a quick text message, telling her he’d be there in about half an hour.

  It didn’t take long for him to shower, trim his beard and dress. He arrived in front of Brandy’s house on time.

  Exiting his truck, he straightened his tie then started walking up to the door. It opened as he reached it.

  “I saw you drive up. I couldn’t believe it was you when you got out.”

  “No?” He tugged at his sleeves nervously. He’d done his best to dress well so he wouldn’t embarrass her. His dark gray slacks and jacket were custom fit while his pale blue shirt he could probably get away with wearing again as casual.

  “You look handsome.”

  She might think he looked handsome but Brandy was stunning in a sleeveless, green, nearly shear dress slit up the side.

  “Wow.”

  Brandy grinned. “Yeah?” She spun around. “You like?”

  “Yes,” he said, settling her into his arms. “I still need my hello kiss.”

  Although in her high heels, she still had to rise to meet his lips. Jamie purposely deepened the kiss until Brandy had to back away, panting.

  “Wow, indeed,” she murmured.

  “Shall we go?”

  “I don’t know. After that kiss I can think of several more interesting things to do here.”

  Laughing, he grabbed her hand and started to pull her out. “It’s your cousin’s fundraiser. You have to be there.”

  “Fine, let me grab my keys.”

  He waited for her on the front steps. Though he’d been the one to insist they actually attend, he was tempted to take her upstairs and get her out of that dress.

  “Later,” he said to his cock.

  “What?” Brandy asked. She stepped out and locked her front door.

  “Nothing,” he replied quickly. Couldn’t really explain talking to his dick, now could he?

  She smiled at him then accepted his arm.

  * * * *

  The fundraiser was already in full swing by the time they arrived. Jamie snatched two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter as Brandy talked with some people he’d been introduced to and had quickly forgotten.

  He liked the fact that after she accepted the drink, she laid her hand on his arm to keep him close.

  Aubrey had helped get a fitted suit so he wouldn’t stick out like a sore thumb, but surrounded by the numerous elegant dresses and tuxes, he felt extremely out of place.

  Tugging his arm, Brandy rose on her tiptoes and spoke softly in his ear. “Are you doing okay?”

  “Sure.”

  Kissing his cheek, she patted his arm. He knew she didn’t believe him. “Come on, let’s find our table. Maybe Aubrey and Cody are here.”

  He sure hoped so. Maybe he wouldn’t feel so out of place with his friends close by. Hand in hand, they made their way around the ballroom. “So how does this work?”

  “The attendees have to purchase a ticket. It was one hundred and fifty dollars per plate. They will receive a dinner and entertainment and get the chance to bid on items for the silent auction. All the items have been donated. Between the tickets and the auction, there is a lot of money made.”

  A hundred and fifty bucks? Jamie almost choked on the sip he’d taken. Jeez, he didn’t get how anyone would want to pay that much to attend a fancy dinner. And the place was packed. “Wow.”

  “Chris knows what he’s doing. When he’s not causing our family headaches, he’s an event coordinator. He’s good too.”

  Jamie had no doubt about that. He spotted Cody in the crowd and waved.

  He was relieved to see Cody grab Aubrey’s hand and start leading her over. He needed reinforcements, pronto. He didn’t want to guess how much the bidding would rise to since he knew it would be over his pay grade.

  “Hi.” Aubrey hugged them both once she and Cody reached them. She looked beautiful in her black satin dress. She also appeared fairly comfortable in her surroundings.

  It pleased Jamie to see Cody tugging on his tie with an expression of unease. While the two women talked quietly, Jamie shoulder-bumped Cody. “Thanks for coming.”

  “You owe
me. You owe me so big.”

  Chuckling, Jamie nodded. “I know.”

  “But damn, I wish Zak was here. Aubrey would have made him come and I would’ve paid anything to see him in a suit and tie at a function like this.”

  Jamie would have too. He always had a feeling that these types of events were something Brandy was accustomed to. Which meant this probably wasn’t his last one. He’d make sure Zak was roped into a couple of them.

  The overhead lights flashed, causing Jamie to scan everything to see what was wrong.

  “Dinner’s starting,” Brandy told him.

  “Okay.” He drank the rest of his champagne so he could set the flute on one of the small tables with other empty glasses.

  Amused, Brandy took his hand. “Follow me.”

  It wasn’t really a hardship trailing behind the most gorgeous woman at the event. As they walked around the room, he noticed several of the male attendees admiring Brandy.

  He waited for jealously to hit him. Instead, pride filled him. Brandy didn’t even notice any of the other men. She held firmly onto Jamie’s hand as the snaked their way around tables to find theirs.

  Once she stopped, he saw the nametags in front of empty plates. He pulled out her chair—at least he knew to do that much—then joined her, taking the seat at her side.

  Cody sat to his left with Aubrey on his other side. The table also had two other couples.

  Introductions were made and small talk exchanged until Chris walked up to the microphone.

  Jamie had been concentrating on everything that was happening and jumped when Brandy took his hand.

  “Relax,” she whispered. “Too many people are going to talk. We’ll eat a lousy dinner that wouldn’t feed a child, then go home where I’ll get you naked and ride your cock for the rest of the night.”

  Gasping out a laugh, Jamie reached for his water glass. His cock filled once again, and heat covered his face. “Uh.”

  “It took your mind off everything else,” she said slyly.

  Next to him, Cody sat with his shoulders shaking, so Jamie was sure his friend had heard everything. Well, two could play at that game. After setting his water aside, Jamie dropped his hand to her knee under the table.